FBI: Ex-principal sexually abused boys over past 35 years

By Benjamin Wood , Deseret News

Published: Sunday, Aug. 2 2015 2:41 p.m. MDT

Charles Edward Weber, 65, was booked into the Washington County Jail and charged with six counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony. New court documents filed Monday say the former teacher and principal has "admitted to sexually abusing several young boys over the past 35 years" as an educator. (, Washington County Jail)

MIDWAY — A former charter school principal was arrested Monday and accused of sexually abusing former male students.

Charles Edward Weber "admitted to sexually abusing several young boys over the past 35 years," FBI agent Jeffrey Ross wrote in a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court. Ross is with the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Weber, 65, of South Jordan, was booked into the Washington County Jail on $1 million bail. He had been an educator for more than 40 years, most recently as principal of the award-winning Soldier Hollow Charter School in Midway.

A 48-year-old man recently told FBI agents that between 1975 and 1977 he was sexually molested on several occasions by Weber, his elementary school teacher at the time. He said the abuse began when he was 11 years old and included fondling and sex acts, the affidavit states. He also said the incidents occurred in Utah and other states.

In this photo from Sept. 15, 2011, Soldier Hollow Charter School Principal Charles Weber chats with fifth graders in Midway after the school received a prestigious national award. New court documents filed Monday say he has "admitted to sexually abusing several young boys over the past 35 years" as an educator. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)

The agents then interviewed Weber, who told them he had been a teacher for more than 40 years and admitted sexually abusing several boys over the past 35 years, the affidavit states. During the interview, he also allegedly admitted sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy between January and April of this year. Investigators later learned the teen had been a student at the school where Weber was principal.

The boy told agents Weber sexually abused him earlier this year but said the abuse stopped shortly after his 16th birthday, according to the affidavit.

Weber was charged Monday in 4th District Court with six counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, in connection with alleged crimes involving the teenage boy during 2012.

Weber was arrested in Washington County, where police believe he fled from his home in South Jordan after becoming aware of the investigation.

Soldier Hollow Charter School started in 1999 with an emphasis on the environment and the arts. It serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

In 2011, while Weber was the school's principal, Soldier Hollow received the distinction of a blue ribbon school, a national honor given to public and private schools that excel year after year.